The Classic Stage Company's revival of The Baker's Wife officially opened the Off-Broadway company's 2025-2026 season November 11 at CSC’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater. Read reviews for the starry production, which was recently extended through December 21, below.
West Side Story Oscar winner, Broadway favorite, and frequent Tony Awards host Ariana DeBose stars as Genevieve, the musical's title role, opposite stage and screen star Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) as Baker Aimable Castagnet.
Completing the company are Wendi Bergamini (New York, New York), Savannah Lee Birdsong (Little Shop of Horrors), Arnie Burton (Machinal), Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Alma Cuervo (On Your Feet!), Tony nominee Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot), Bill English (Days of Wine and Roses), Zachary Freier-Harrison, Samantha Gershman (Water for Elephants), Nathan Lee Graham (Mid-Century Modern), Tony nominee Judy Kuhn (Fun Home), Sally Murphy (The Minutes), Manu Narayan (Company), Mason Olshavsky, Kevin William Paul (The Outsiders), Will Roland (Dear Evan Hansen), and Hailey Thomas (Little Shop of Horrors).
Read the reviews below.
1 Minute Critic (Merryn Jones)
CitiTour NYC (Brian Scott Lipton)
New York Magazine/Vulture (Jackson McHenry)*
New York Stage Review (Bob Verini, Steven Suskin)
New York Theatre Guide (Joe Dziemianowicz)
The New York Times (Elisabeth Vincentelli)*
Talkin' Broadway (James Wilson)
*This review may require creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
The CSC production marks the first full-scale NYC production of the 1976 Stephen Schwartz-Joseph Stein musical The Baker’s Wife, which famously closed before it officially opened on Broadway. Gordon Greenberg directs the production, presented by special arrangement with the Menier Chocolate Factory, Creative Partners Productions, and Aaron Glick. Greenberg also helmed a 2024 London revival at the Menier. The transfer continues a long relationship between the similarly situated companies, where John Doyle has frequently directed, also serving as artistic director of CSC.
"Ariana is one of our finest young singing actresses, and I'm excited by the depth and nuance she will bring to the title role,” said composer Schwartz in an earlier statement. “Plus, I've had the pleasure of hearing her sing 'Meadowlark,' so I know CSC audiences are in for a treat.”
Director Greenberg added, "Ariana DeBose brings an electric mix of vulnerability, wit, and star power to Genevieve—qualities that not only honor Stephen and Joe’s beautiful work but also ignite it in thrilling new ways. She’s the kind of performer who makes you lean forward in your seat—not just because of her voice, which is extraordinary, but because of the emotional truth she brings to every moment. Watching her inhabit this role will be like discovering the character for the first time."
Based on the film La Femme du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol, adapted from Jean le Bleu by Jean Giono, the musical follows the arrival of a new Baker and his younger wife, who turn a provincial French village upside down. The Baker's Wife achieved cult status thanks to a cast recording that features Patti LuPone and Paul Sorvino, and a score that includes "Meadowlark," "Gifts of Love," "Chanson," and "Proud Lady."
The production also has choreography by Stephanie Klemons, music direction by Charlie Alterman, set design by Jason Sherwood, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Bradley King, and sound design by Jason Crystal. Casting is by The Telsey Office's Craig Burns with production management by Libby JVera/LJPM. Jason Weixelman serves as production stage manager.
For her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, DeBose earned Academy Award, BAFTA, Critics Choice, and SAG Awards. In doing so, she became the first openly queer Afro-Latina to receive an Academy Award. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, she hosted the Tony Awards, which earned Emmy nominations for Outstanding Variety Special in 2023 and 2024. She also starred in both seasons of the critically acclaimed musical comedy series Schmigadoon! as well as Ryan Murphy's The Prom. On Broadway, DeBose was Tony-nominated for her role as Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical; she was also part of the original cast of Hamilton, also appearing in the film adaptation for Disney+. Other stage credits include Pippin, Motown the Musical, Bring It On: The Musical, and Company.
Bakula, who played Dominique in a 1980 production of The Baker’s Wife at the Cincinnati Playhouse, made his Broadway debut in 1983, starring as Joe DiMaggio in Marilyn: An American Fable. In 1988, Bakula was Tony-nominated for his work in the musical Romance/Romance. He last appeared on the New York stage, Off-Broadway, in The Connector. The actor may be best known for his five-year stint in Quantum Leap, earning a Golden Globe Award and four Emmy nominations. His numerous screen credits also include NCIS: New Orleans, Behind the Candelabra, Men of a Certain Age, Looking, Star Trek: Enterprise, Only Murders in the Building, Divinity, The Informant, American Beauty, Life As a House, Color of Night, Necessary Roughness, Sibling Rivalry, and more.
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Ariana DeBose in The Baker's Wife
Judy Kuhn in The Baker's Wife
in The Baker's Wife
Ariana DeBose and Scott Bakula in The Baker's Wife
Ariana DeBose, Scott Bakula, and company of The Baker's Wife
Ariana DeBose, Scott Bakula, and company of The Baker's Wife
Ariana DeBose in The Baker's Wife
Kevin William Paul in The Baker's Wife
Ariana DeBose in The Baker's Wife
Scott Bakula and company of The Baker's Wife
Hailey Thomas, Samantha Gershman, Savannah Lee Birdsong, Nathan Lee Graham, and Kevin Del Aguila in The Baker's Wife
Ariana DeBose and Kevin William Paul in The Baker's Wife
Alma Cuervo, Samantha Gershman, Hailey Thomas, Sally Murphy, Savannah Lee Birdsong, and Judy Kuhn in The Baker's Wife
Alma Cuervo, Savannah Lee Birdsong, Judy Kuhn, Sally Murphy, Hailey Thomas, and Samantha Gershman in The Baker's Wife
Ariana DeBose and Scott Bakula in The Baker's Wife
